Cleaning old computers

[motorollin]

Though this is not an Amiga query, I'm hoping someone who has experience of cleaning up old Amigas can help me.

I bought a Tatung Einstein from eBay for my other half for Christmas (it was his childhood computer and he always speaks fondly of it, so I found one for him). It is in average condition, with one crack in the case, but other than that ok. It's quite dusty, both inside the case and on the housing too. There's an accumulation of dust in the grooves of the ventilation, and the case and keyboard are generally quite mucky.

I'm thinking of getting some cotton buds to clean it up, and am wondering if there is a substance I can use to clean it safely? Something which would get most of the ingrained dirt and dust off without damaging the plastic.

TIA

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moto

[Damion]

Hi Moto,

My recommendation (assuming this is something you need to treat delicately) would be to start with a little distilled water. A small dilution of vinegar will help with the cleaning aspect, and won't leave an odor (or soap residue) after drying.

This has worked well for me in the past, and the vinegar helps get rid rid of the musty "old hardware" smell.

[motorollin]

Thanks Damion. I will give that a try. I'm guessing a chemist will sell distilled water?

--
moto

[Damion]

motorollin wrote:
Thanks Damion. I will give that a try. I'm guessing a chemist will sell distilled water?

--
moto

Sure, and often you can find it grocery stores, same section as the bottled drinking water. (I require a healthy supply to keep my venus fly-traps alive... :lol:)

[hardlink]

I knew a tech who refurbished smoke damaged electronics for a fire insurance company, so the company didn't have to replace the gear

He would hang the parts from line and spray them down with de-ionized water - this is not the same thing as distilled water. After cleaning, the parts would go into a low temp oven for drying.

He claimed nothing got damaged, and it was a great way to clean keyboards.

[Ral-Clan]

I always used Windex until I found out about Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.  They are the BEST thing I have ever found to clean computer cases, keyboards, everything.  Just don't use them on any decals or painted logos.  Most of the time they will be okay, but there are certain types of paint used in logos, etc. that didn't bond well to the plastic and can be rubbed off with these Magic Erasers.

An even better thing to do (which will get it looking like new) is to take the computer apart (if you are technically inclined) so all you have is the plastic shell.  Put that in the dish washer.  It will come out looking like it has newly arrived from the factory.  It's amazing really.

In fact, you can put circuit boards in a dishwasher and it will clean them without harming them.  Just make sure they are completely dry (like for a week) before using them again.

[pVC]

I'd just use general cleaning stuff. Liquid cleanser and cloth like you use cleaning furnitures (and daily used computer stuff) etc in your home Has worked just fine here. For outside things like case and keyboard only of course. Also removing all plastic parts and sinking them on water with some cleanser and rubbing them with something is easy and efficient

[twizzle]

there`s no need to buy distilled water, just put a plastic container out when it rains, (not a metal one)

to clear out the dust, use the wife`s makeup brush and the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

[motorollin]

Given the cold weather at the moment, I don't think it will rain enough between now and Christmas :-)

--
moto

[tokyoracer]

Hoovers even work nicely sometimes, just be carefull if your hoovering inside.

[Damion]

tokyoracer wrote:
Hoovers even work nicely sometimes, just be carefull if your hoovering inside.

Indeed, especially vacuum brush-attachments since they can deliver a nice static blast to your equipment.

[taunusand]

An even better thing to do (which will get it looking like new) is to take the computer apart (if you are technically inclined) so all you have is the plastic shell.  Put that in the dish washer.  It will come out looking like it has newly arrived from the factory.  It's amazing really.

In fact, you can put circuit boards in a dishwasher and it will clean them without harming them.  Just make sure they are completely dry (like for a week) before using them again.

I usally put the parts in the oven (hot-air) Temp: 50C. Any temperature that won't burn your fingers will do :-)

1 Hour, and you are ready to go :-)

[adonay]

ral-clan wrote:
An even better thing to do (which will get it looking like new) is to take the computer apart (if you are technically inclined) so all you have is the plastic shell.  Put that in the dish washer.  It will come out looking like it has newly arrived from the factory.  It's amazing really.

In fact, you can put circuit boards in a dishwasher and it will clean them without harming them.  Just make sure they are completely dry (like for a week) before using them again.

I have done this with amiga 1200 case keyboard etc , i have a mobo that is quite dodgy i may try to put that in there to try it out  :-D if it works well"erhmm or works as sometimes refuse to boot now" after the treatment i will surely put a functioning mobo later on ... I plan to dry it in the MICRO for 3 hours would that be sufficient ?



Note i am just joking  :lol:  :lol:  :lol: 45 celcius in oven ....

[Retro_71]

In fact, you can put circuit boards in a dishwasher and it will clean them without harming them.  Just make sure they are completely dry (like for a week) before using them again.
[/quote]

With the dishwasher do you use any of those tablets/powders. Or just let it wash with just water?

[motrucker]

There used to be a product called "Dipp It" that was for cleaning coffee makers, that did a GREAT job of cleaning old plastic! It is no longer on the market, but if you track down what was in it....
I have seen good results from placing plastic case parts in a dish washer with a regular dish washing pellet. You need to be very careful about the water temp! Cooler is better...